Adsorption of proteins and calcium phosphate materials bioactivity

The behaviour of calcium Phosphate (CaP) based biomaterials in biological environments determines how them can be used in vivo. The prime requirement For CaP materials to he bioactive and bond to living bone is the formation of a bone-like apatite layer on their surface. This phenomenon can be reproduced in vitro using simulated bode fluid (SBF): a protein-Free solution with ion concentrations similar to those of human blood plasma, Although proteins are unanimously considered as important actor, in CaP material bioactivity and biomineralization processes. a certain confusion exists about their role as promotors or inhibitors of mineral crystal formation or both. The adsorption Of Proteins Oil the mineral surface can alter the nucleation rate and lead to antagonistic effects depending oil the concentration Of the adsorbed proteins. The ambiguity of this general effect is illustrated by the action of albumin on calcium phosphate crystallization on type I collagen and several other examples found in the literature, (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.